How to Keep My Home from Experiencing Flood Damage-An Intro

Home flood protection can save your home from being destroyed during a flood, and save you money on the repairs once it is over. Using these ideas before disaster strikes can greatly reduce what damage occurs with the flood. Below are a few things that can assist in this. Doing routine checks on your rain gutters can help to keep some of the damage at bay. This should become a practice you adopt so that they remain free of debris and the water can flow without obstruction. You also need to make sure the water is not being placed directly into the ground next to the house, and if it is, then you need to buy an extension to allow it to drain at a safe distance away. Get more informations about avoiding flooding issues in Atlanta homes.

Waterproofing your walls can also help with preventing water damage and even help during a cleanup. This latex based paint can be wiped off and acts as a barrier to the wall beneath. It is best utilized for unfinished surfaces and concrete, but it can be placed onto painted surfaces too. Where you have your garden is also a factor in preventing damage. If it is too close to the house, the water retained can cause more damage in a shorter period of time since it can quickly become waterlogged. If it is already in place, then using plants that can keep the topsoil from moving may be able to limit the amount of mud damage that comes into your home.

Check the electrical wires to make sure that the outside layer is free from fractures and is not broken anywhere. Electrical switches and the breaker box need to be higher than the flood line for safety. You should also raise your laundry equipment, water heaters and furnaces at least 12 inches from the floor, or moved to a higher level of the house if it is feasible. These appliances can be set on stones to get the necessary height, and there are furnaces that can be installed to the ceiling for an extra level of protection with it.

A sump pump in the basement can help to rapidly remove any standing water that remains after a flood, which can greatly reduce the damage to the area. You must have another power source to operate it so that it can work under any circumstance. You will also have to operate it on occasion to ensure that it will work when you most need it. Insurance is also very important to have. Since this is not offered under traditional insurance policies, you will need to get in under the NFIP plan. This can be used by renters as well, and can greatly make the repairs affordable to you. You do need to obtain this as soon as you can, since the policy will not go into effect immediately.